LA CHORRERA, Panama – Despite playing a man down for most of the second half, Plaza Amador remained perfect in the 2017 Panamanian Apertura with a 1-0 win over host Santa Gema on Saturday at the Estadio Agustin “Muquita” Sanchez.

The first-place Leones improved to 4-0-0 and increased its lead to three points over idle Arabe Unido thanks to a 53rd-minute goal by Richard Rodriguez, who made up for his missed penalty kick six minutes into the first half.

Santa Gema couldn’t capitalize on its advantage in manpower after Damaso Santos was ejected in the 55th minute.

Plaza Amador will look to overcome a 1-0 deficit, when it welcomes Jamaica’s Portmore United to the Estadio Rommel Fernandez on Wednesday night for the second leg of their 2017 Scotiabank CONCACAF League Round of 16 series.